Two Months After the Wedding
The moving truck pulls away from the cottage, leaving tire tracks in the gravel driveway like evidence of change.
Aria stands on the porch, watching Marcus carry the last of his boxes through the front door. His books, his research papers, his coffee maker that makes better espresso than anything she's ever tasted.
The physical pieces of a life being woven into theirs.
"Mama, where do Marcus's dinosaurs go?"
Sophie appears in the doorway, dragging a box that's almost as big as she is. Her face is serious, like she's been appointed supervisor of this entire operation.
"What dinosaurs, baby?"
"The ones he promised to get for emergencies. In case I forget mine places."
Aria's chest warms. Even now, two months after their engagement, Marcus continues to thi
